We are back with another Hahnemühle Photography Month. This year we want to show how diverse photography and fine art printing is and can be. Each week we will focus on selected highlights and topics. During our second week, we will talk about People and Portrait Photography and how it can follow a mission.
Travel photographer Esteban Toro in the interview for our series during the second week of the Hahnemühle Photography Month.
Could you introduce yourself in 3-4 sentences?
“I’m Esteban Toro, I’m a travel photographer, Sony Ambassador, Worldwide represented by YellowKorner. I document the world through my camera. From my backyard to remote countries and cultures.”
How and When did you figure out you wanted to become a photographer?
“I was a bass guitarist. The instrument kept me home all the day. When I discovered photography, around 14 years ago, it took me outside to discover the world to create beautiful photographs. Then, a camera has been an excuse to document the world as I see it.”
“When I started travelling, I wanted to have beautiful portraits in every location and beautiful landscapes too. Travelling became a serious thing that I’d do first 2-3 months per year and then it turned out to be 9-11 months per year.”
Why do you print your images?
“It’s mandatory to me to see my final photographs printed. It’s the only way that my work makes sense and comes to life.”
“It gives all the effort that I put into planning a photograph a meaning. Then, I can feel the texture, the color, remember the moment and finally, it becomes a memory. A living proof that I existed there and that moment happened in front of my lens.”
When it comes to the paper choice – why did you go for Hahnemühle?
“Baryta is my one to go. It helps the colors to look striking when printed.”
“By trying several papers, going to the laboratory and doing multiple tests. Finally, I found the right one that matched my taste.”
What is one of the funniest/ most spectacular/ emotional or unforgettable memory you have made while shooting and/or printing?
“Documenting the Cormorant Fisherman in China, I was sharing a song that I very like, Fairy Tale by Shaman, with one of the fisherman. He started to laugh because the cover of the album where that song is, looks just like him. He didn’t speak any English, I don’t speak any Mandarin. He was 84 and I was 23. Still, we were able to share together and break the generation/language barrier to share a great and peaceful moment in front of the Li River (which I happen to consider one of the most beautiful places in the world).”
“Go beyond the picture. Share an intimate moment. Get to know the person you’re photographing. Break the ice. Live the moment. It will create a beautiful picture because what you are living is truly powerful.”
Learn more about William’s work on his website, Instagram and Facebook.
For more information about this year’s Hahnemühle Photography Month follow our Instagram @hahnemuehle_imaging and Facebook @hahnemuehle.
